Method and system for configuring and processing requests through workflow applications

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of creating a workflow application is disclosed, including the steps of presenting a graphical user interface via a display device, receiving a user input specifying a request type representing a framework of information to be provided by an end user for a request to be acted on, receiving a user input specifying a task assignment representing an entity to which a task is assigned, and associating the task assignment with the request type. The method further includes the steps of receiving a user input specifying an action to be performed on the request by the entity to which the task is assigned, associating the action with the task assignment, and presenting a diagram within the graphical user interface to visually represent the request type, task assignment, and action as individual nodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of creating a workflow application for use by an end user in a sales performance management system, the method comprising:
 providing, on a display device, a graphical user interface configured to present guidance to a creator of the workflow application and receive creator input related to creation of the workflow application;   receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, a first input specifying a request type, the request type representing a framework of information to be selected by the end user for a request to be acted upon, the request type being provided as a menu option to the end user upon execution of the completed workflow application by the end user;   receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, a second input specifying a task assignment, the task assignment representing an entity to which a task is assigned by the creator for purposes of acting on the request selected by the end user during execution of the completed workflow application;   associating, by the creator using the graphical user interface, the task assignment with the request type;   receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, a third input specifying an action to be performed upon the task by the entity to which the task is assigned by the creator;   associating, by the creator using the graphical user interface, the action with the task assignment; and   presenting, to the creator via the graphical user interface, a diagram that visually represents the request type, task assignment, and action as individual nodes and that visually represents the association between the request type and the task assignment and the association between the task assignment and the action.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receipt of the first, second, and third inputs includes receiving a custom creator-specified name for the request type, task assignment, or action. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, request information related to the request type and associating the request information with the request type;   receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, assignment information related to the task assignment and associating the assignment information with the task assignment; and   receiving, from the creator using the graphical user interface, action information related to the action and associating the action information with the action.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the receiving of the request information, task assignment information, and action information includes displaying a maintenance element of the graphical user interface and receiving a user input of information via the maintenance element 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the receiving of the request information, task assignment information, and action information is performed after the receipt of the first, second, and third inputs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the request information, the task assignment information, or action information comprises pre-existing information within the sales performance management system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diagram within the graphical user interface comprises a flow diagram, and the nodes representing the request type, task assignment, and action are connected by lines that visually represent associations between the request type, task assignment, and action.